When talking about sunscreen, we all think it’s for the skin. But did you know our hair needs protection when you’re stepping out in the scorching sun? But you don’t have to spend a hefty price for specialized sunscreen for hair, rather, you can use homemade sunscreen recipes to protect your hair.
Yes, it’s possible to prepare your own hair sunscreen for a fraction of the cost and use natural ingredients. So, the bonus is that you’re not using damaging or harmful chemicals or parabens on your hair.
Let’s learn more about why and how to protect your hair during sun exposure before learning homemade sunscreen recipes to protect your hair.
Is Hair Sunscreen Necessary?
This is a question many have. It’s important to understand you must protect your hair from harsh sun, especially around noon.
Also, the scalp is an extension of our skin and needs similar attention. So yes, hair sunscreen helps to protect your hair and is necessary. The good news is you can prepare your own hair sunscreen.
DIY Hair Sunscreen Recipes
Now that we know more about how sun exposure can damage, let’s learn how to prepare homemade sunscreens to protect your hair.
Floral Hair Sunscreen
This is a simple and beginner-friendly lavender hair sunscreen recipe with which you can start your DIY journey. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Ingredients
Distilled Water – 1 Cup
Lavender Essential Oil – 7 Drops
White Tea Bags – 2
Instructions
Heat the water in a narrow-mouthed heavy vessel to near boiling temperature.
Steep the tea bags for a few minutes
Wait till the tea cools down a bit.
Filter to a sterilized glass spritzer.
Add in the essential oils and shake gently to combine.
How to Use it?
Shake before every single use.
Spritz on your hair before stepping out and style as usual.
Notes
You can use any essential oil of your choice that’s not photosensitive.
You can use it as needed.
You can add nano zinc oxide for added protection.
Berrylicious Hair Sunscreen
This recipe uses the high SPF red raspberry seed oil for maximum protection and nourishment.
Ingredients
Distilled Water – 1 Cup
Avocado Oil – 6 Tsps.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil – 6 Tsps.
Rosemary Tea Bag – 1
Instructions
Heat a cup of water and steep the rosemary tea bag.
Once the tea cools down, filter to a sterilized spritzer.
Add in the avocado oil and red raspberry seed oil and shake gently to combine.
How to Use it?
Shake before every use.
Spray on your hair before stepping out and style as usual.
Notes
Add coconut, argan, grapeseed, or other sun-protecting oils to the recipe.
You can also add essential oils for added aroma and benefits.
You can add nano zinc oxide for added protection.
Rose Hydrosol Hair Sunscreen
This recipe uses rose hydrosol for that cooling effect besides hydration and a refreshing floral aroma.
Ingredients
Rose Hydrosol – 1/2 Cup
Distilled Water – 1/2 Cup
Grapeseed Oil – 2 Tbsps.
Coconut Oil – 2 Tbsps.
Instructions
Add all the ingredients to a sterilized spritzer and shake gently to combine.
How to Use?
Shake before every use.
Spritz on your before stepping out and style as usual.
Notes
You can also use lavender hydrosol instead of or along with Rose Hydrosol.
You can choose any sun-protecting carrier oils, namely carrot seed oil, macadamia oil, Jojoba Oil, etc., instead of coconut oil for this recipe.
You can also use essential oils for added aromas that aren’t photosensitive.
You can add nano zinc oxide for added protection.
How Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients Protect Your Hair
Let’s look at a few common ingredients used in homemade sunscreen recipes to protect your hair.
Grapeseed oil
With an SPF of 4 and rich antioxidant content, grapeseed oil prevents our skin from absorbing the full damage of harmful sun rays and offers protection from the sun. This nutrient-rich oil is very beneficial to hair and scalp health.
White tea
Rich in antioxidants and a nutrition profile known to benefit hair and stimulate hair growth, white tea also offers sun protection benefits. It moisturizes hair that can lose moisture under harmful sun rays and keeps your tresses shiny and hydrated.
Non-nano zinc oxide
Zinc oxide is the only FDA-approved sun protection and offers physical protection against UV rays. This means it creates a barrier between the skin and the sun and deflects sun rays that can damage your skin during sun exposure.
It protects your skin from both UVA & UVB rays.
Raspberry seed oil
With a whopping SPF of 28 – 50, red raspberry seed oil can partially protect from both UVB & UVC and UVA rays. This oil prevents UV rays from damaging or causing inflammation of the skin.
Rice bran oil
With an SPF rating of 4 – 6, rice bran oil offers sun protection and can be used for light everyday activities. It functions like a sunblock and blocks damage caused by UV rays.
Argan oil
Argan oil offers natural protection against UV rays that can inflict skin damage, and the nutrient-rich profile, especially the skin vitamin E, ensures fading of existing sun spots with regular use.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel has very minimal SPF but is cooling and healing. The rich moisturization and hydration properties prevent moisture loss due to sun exposure.
Understanding and Calculating SPF for Homemade Sunscreens
SPF, short for sun protection factor, is the amount of UV rays required to cause damage while using sunscreen vs the amount of sun exposure required to inflict damage on unprotected skin. The higher the SPF rating, the higher the protection. In other words, SPF is how long it takes before you get a sunburn.
So, for SPF 50, sun exposure can be up to 50 minutes without damage. A bare minimum of 30 SPF is recommended, with higher ratings offering more comprehensive coverage from UV rays.
There are three types of UV rays – UVA, UVB & UVC (previously not considered since it was absorbed by the atmosphere; now, due to climatic changes, it’s a threat and more so than the other two types).
So, if you’re adding different ingredients with different SPF ratings, you can add them to know the final SPF.
Tips for DIY Hair Sunscreens
- Make sure to calculate the SPF correctly.
- It’s a good idea to include a combination of ingredients that offer comprehensive protection from UV rays.
- Always use natural and organic ingredients that are fresh.
- When you can, make the homemade sunscreen from scratch by foraging your ingredients.
- Don’t use any ingredients you’re allergic to.
- Always do a patch test to check for allergies or sensitivities.
- Combining mineral and herbal ingredients can offer coverage from all types of UV exposure.
Comparing Homemade and Commercial Hair Sunscreens
Homemade sunscreen recipes to protect your hair are prepared using natural ingredients, and you know what goes into making your homemade sunscreen. It’s budget-friendly and costs a fraction of the cost you spend on commercial sunscreens.
You can customize your hair sunscreen to suit your requirements and preferences better. For example, if you want to grow your hair, you can choose ingredients that promote hair growth.
Bottom Line
Try these recipes and let us know how they work for you. The fun part of DIY is experimenting, so go wild and let out your creative side. Try out different variations and combinations and see what works for you best.
Don’t have time for DIY recipes? Try the broad range of premium vegan hair care cosmetics from Vitamins Revive. Check out what products they offer on their online store.
Have any questions or doubts? Feel free to contact us for any feedback, requests, doubts, or questions. We love hearing from our readers.
Don’t forget to share your results and successful trysts with us.
FAQs
How do you make sunscreen for your hair at home?
There are easy-to-follow homemade sunscreen recipes to protect your hair. You can follow the recipes’ instructions, tweak, calculate your SPF, and finalize the recipe. All the recipes are suitable for beginners.
What can I use as sunscreen for my hair?
Many natural ingredients offer protection from the sun and can be used as your own hair sunscreen. A few ingredients include red raspberry seed oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, etc.
How do you prevent product buildup on the scalp?
You can use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse and clarify your scalp. Alternatively, you can use apple cider vinegar rinse to clarify your scalp.
